SoberRide Launches Holiday Safety Campaign

The drunk-driving prevention campaign operated by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program begins another effort tonight to keep my readers alive through the holidays.

If you've been overserved, SoberRide will help you get home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. each evening through Jan. 1. Residents of the Washington metropolitan area can call the toll-free SoberRide phone number 1-800-200-TAXI and receive a safe ride home in a cab at no-cost up to a $50 fare. (After that, you pay.) AT&T wireless customers can dial #-TAXI for the service.

Since 1993 alone, SoberRide program has provided 41,384 free cab rides, and likely prevented many injuries and deaths.

"Last December alone, 2,510 greater Washington residents did the right thing and availed themselves of this lifesaving service rather than possibly driving home impaired," WRAP President Kurt Gregory Erickson said in a statement today.

Local taxi companies provide the rides to people 21 years and older who might otherwise may have attempted to drive home after drinking too much. The participating cab companies include Alexandria Yellow Cab, Barwood, Fairfax Yellow Cab, Loudoun Yellow Cab, Manassas Cab Co., Red Top Cab, Silver Cab of Prince George's County, Taxi Transportation Services, Yellow Cab of the District and Yellow Cab of Prince William County.